May Day Baskets. . .

Happy May Day my friends!
 
May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere
spring festival.
 
In some parts of the United States, May Baskets are made for May Day, a celebration of Spring. May Day Baskets are small baskets usually filled with flowers or treats and left at someone’s doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away.
 
 
Believe it or not, last week I had to traipse out into the snow to cut these Lilacs for my May Day basket.
Today is a gorgeous sunny day and the Lilacs are still
 looking pretty.
 
 
This sweet May Day basket is a paper Mache floral container.  Both it and the hat box were created by my talented hairdresser.  I pull them out every year for May Day.
 
This morning I stepped outside to snap a photo of my
May Day bucket.
 
 
And look what greeted me on my front porch.
A darling bird planter!  Although it was left there anonymously I knew exactly who it was from.  My sweet friend, Karen has a tradition of delivering a May Day basket to many of her family and friends on the last night of April.

 
Last year she gifted us with something similar to this.
I was able to plant the flowers in my outdoor pots and they thrived.
 
 
 
I searched Pinterest and am sharing some of my favorite
May Day baskets.
 

 


 
 
Happy May Day!!
 
hugs,
Jann

17 comments

Anonymous said...

Happy May Day, Jann! How lovely to receive a May Day basket from a friend. So sweet!

NanaDiana said...

Happy May Day to you, too, Jann. What wonderful May baskets you found to post here. I love yours and the examples you found. I love that your friend does a sweet gifting on May 1st.

Have a wonderful week- xo Diana

Linda W. said...

I remember making May baskets as a kid growing up in South Dakota. We put candy inside and placed them on our friends doorsteps, rang the bell and ran! If you were caught you got kissed. They don't seem to do May baskets here on the west coast.

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Happy May Day to you too Jann. I can remember as a child we picked flowers and made baskets. We also decorated the flag pole with long ribbons and danced around wth our flowers. So many wonderful memories.

Love all the May Day baskets - they are beautiful.

Hugs,
Mary

Connie said...

Hello Sweet Jann and Happy May Day to you. I enjoyed seeing all of your May Day baskets . . . your blog is always a pleasant surprise of eye candy and delight :)
Have a lovely week.
Connie :)

Louca por porcelana said...

What a friendly and lovely tradition!I don't know it,thanks for sharing.Love your beautiful post!Hugs!Maristella.

Thelma said...

Happy May Day to you also Jann. I love all the pretty floral baskets you have posted.

HANDMADe CREATIONS said...

What a great idea! Love it

Jeanie said...

I love your May Day baskets -- your personal ones and the links. Unfortunately, this year wasn't my year to do that, but I was pleased and surprised to have some get well flowers delivered, so I will call these my Second-of-May-Day flowers!

Daniela said...

What a cheerful post, darling Jann, thank you for sharing such a joy !

In the hope you've enjoyed a lovely May Day
and wishing you a most lovely remainder of your week
I'm sending blessings to you

XOXO Dany

happyone said...

What a lovely idea. Happy May.

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

How so sweet of your friend!...so beautiful...this year's and last...and crushing over your lilacs!...worth traipsing through the snow!...gorgeous! Happy May Day!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jann,
Love these ideas for May Day!! Especially the cans!! Thanks so much
for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Debbie

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

What a fun thing to do and I am wondering why I never knew about it!

organicgardendreams said...

Dear Jann, I didn't know about the tradition of May Day baskets in the US up to now, but I love it. Thanks for posting about it. Your lilac May Day basket is so pretty and I think it is sooo... sweet of your friend to leave a little May Day basket for you at your doorstep. I will try to remember for next year and do something similar for my friends.
Warm regards,
Christina

Creations By Cindy said...

Jann, I remember reading about May Day and the cute little baskets a couple of years ago. I thought I might remember and do this myself for a few people but needless to say it was only a thought. But I love the idea of it and how different they all can be. So sweet. Happy May Day to you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Jann, I love all the beautiful May baskets you shared, but those lilacs...be still my heart! I wish we could grow them here.

I have never heard of the May Basket tradition, but love the idea. :)

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